Shillong, Oct 12: Archbishop of Shillong Archdiocese, Most Rev Dominic Jala will be buried in a grave close to the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Laitumkhrah.
Archbishop Jala died in a car accident at Colusa county, Oakland, California in USA around 2.20pm on Thursday, (on Friday morning as per Indian Standard Time).
Archbishop Jala, along with another priest from Kerela, Fr Mathew Vellankal who worked at St Bonaventure in USA died on the spot, while another priest, Fr Joseph Parekkatt, was critically injured when they travelled to Clearlake in California and on their way back to Colusa county.
Sources in the Catholic Church said that a graveyard is being prepared in the premises of the Cathedral for laying the body of the late Archbishop.
In the past, to body of Archbishop was laid in a graveyard inside the Cathedral.
Priests in the Archbishop’s House said that Archbishop Jala had already conveyed his wish that his grave should be close to the Cathedral, not inside the Cathedral.
Archbishop Jala had left Shillong for Rome in Italy on September 17 for the Ad Limina (meeting of Bishops/Archbishops from different Dioceses with the Pope once in five years).
After participating in the Ad Lamina, Archbishop Jala proceeded to USA to attend another meeting of the International Commission for English Liturgy (ICEL) and to meet some of his priest friends. From USA the Archbishop was to reach Shillong on October 16.
Diocesan Administrator of the Shillong Archdiocese, Fr John Madur said that it was not sure yet, when the mortal remains of the Archbishop will reach Shillong.
Arrangements to bring the mortal remains of the late Archbishop are pending as an autopsy is required.
It will take three to four days for the body to reach Shillong as formalities for releasing the body would take time because of weekend and holiday on Monday in USA.
The Catholic Church has urged its members to pray for the departed soul and there will be a concelebrated requiem mass at the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Laitumkhrah Shillong at 5.30pm every day until the mortal remains of the Archbishop arrive from California.
Officials of the Archdiocese said that details and date for the funeral would be made known later, after confirming the arrival of the mortal remains.